Rolling out the AfCFTA strategy in Liberia

Monrovia (Liberia), September 02, 2025 - (ECA) The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Liberia, and the AfCFTA Secretariat , organized a three-day workshop on the rollout of Liberia's National African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation Strategy. The workshop, held from 26-28 August 2025, brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

Opening the meeting, Deputy Minister for Commerce and Trade Services, Wilmot A. Reeves, highlighted Liberia's journey in the AfCFTA process. He recalled that Liberia signed the AfCFTA Agreement in 2018 and deposited its instrument of ratification in July 2023. He commended the Legislature for its pivotal role in the ratification process and stressed the importance of moving from commitment to action.

"One of the first steps we were to undertake was to commence our work on preparing the implementation strategy," Deputy Minister noted, emphasizing that the strategy will serve as a roadmap to guide Liberia's effective participation in the continental market. He also announced efforts by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to establish a trade information portal to provide businesses with easier access to trade-related information.

Selamawit Mekonnen, representing the ECA Sub-regional Office for West Africa, presented an overview of ECA's strategic initiatives aimed at supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA. She underscored the critical role of aligning policy and partnerships to enable member States to fully seize AfCFTA opportunities while addressing associated challenges. Ms Mekonnen emphasized that AfCFTA implementation can significantly accelerate progress toward national, continental, and global development goals. She noted, however, that realizing its full potential requires strategic investments, carefully crafted policies, and coordinated reforms across national, subregional, and continental levels.

Souleymane Abdallah, representing African Trade Policy Center (ATPC) at the ECA, shared a brief overview of ATPC's work on green and blue economies. He highlighted that Green Supplement is strategic framework that adds a "green" dimension to a country's existing AfCFTA implementation plan." He noted that the AfCFTA presents Liberia with significant opportunities to advance its green and blue economies through sustainable trade, investment in renewable energy, and the development of ocean-based industries.

Representing the AfCFTA Secretariat, Million Habte, praised Liberia for launching its National Implementation Strategy and pointed out that the AfCFTA can help boost intra-African trade while also promoting economic growth and development in the country. He then recommended five actions Liberia must take to fully benefit from the agreement: strengthening institutional frameworks, investing in trade facilitation and infrastructure, empowering women and youth in trade, promoting value addition and industrialization, and mobilizing resources and partnerships.

UNDP's Louis Kuukpen, Deputy Resident Representative to Liberia, described the August 14 launch of Liberia's AfCFTA Implementation Strategy as "a bold step toward a future of shared prosperity, unity, and sustainable development." .

At the closing session, Mr Abdallah expressed optimism about the impact of the workshop on Liberia's AfCFTA journey.

"Based on what was demonstrated at the workshop, and given the work being done by Liberia, there are prospects for the outcomes to resonate with the AfCFTA roadmap," he said, while thanking the Government of Liberia for its leadership and collaboration.

The rollout of Liberia's AfCFTA Implementation Strategy will include nationwide awareness and sensitization activities, engaging ministries, agencies and commissions, the private sector, civil society, as well as women and youth traders.

Liberia officially launched its AfCFTA Implementation Strategy on 14 August 2025. The strategy is closely aligned with the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), positioning the country to leverage continental trade opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Issued by:

Communications Section

Economic Commission for Africa

PO Box 3001

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

Tel: +251 11 551 5826

E-mail: [email protected]